CONCERT REVIEWS
MIKEY DREAD
Club Viva, April 23, 2003
Five hours sleep but had to write a quick review of the show last night before heading off to work. It's gonna be a long day...
Mikey Dread blew through town and put on one killer concert at Club Viva.
The show was Mikey's first St. Louis appearance in probably more than a decade and even though it was obviously way too long between shows, it was well worth the wait.
I got to the club around 9 p.m. and was fortunate to see Mikey's sound check. I knew right then it was gonna be one of those magical nights. He jammed for probably 45 minutes or so and the band sounded tight...
Mikey looks great and we reminisced a little about seeing him with The Clash and Lee Dorsey in March of 1980. He's a real cool dread...
The band then took off for an hour or so to get ready for the show.
At about 11:15 they started with a medley and Mikey came on right after that with "Israel Style." I'm tellin ya, this is one crucial band. Don't know their names, but keyboardist, drummie, bass, guitar (Garvey's great-great grandson) and Mikey on vocals. Great roots vibe...
After an intense hour they took a 15 minute break, then came back for another 60 minutes til 1:30 a.m. when they had to end things due to the curfew. Otherwise they definitely would've kept playing...
After the show I asked for the playlist and here's what came after the opening tune (and I'm tellin ya, each song was really crucial)...
"Reggae Gone International," "Happy Family," "Choose Me," "Jumping Master," The Source," "Barber Saloon," "SWALK," "Oneness," "Warrior Stylee," "Positive Reality," "Roots and Culture," "Break Down The Walls," "World Tour," "Love The Dread," "Equal Rights" and "His Imperial Majesty."
They dubbed a lot of stuff out at the end of tunes and it was tight. Lotsa drum and bass. Mikey also did a tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash with a crucial version of "Bankrobber."
Seriously, Mikey Dread and crew are still at the top of the roots game. His voice still has that unique sound and edge and he was really excellent...
If you have a chance to check em out, don't miss it...the Dread At The Control still rules...
Keep skankin everybody
keep skankin...
Prof
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